Convertible power unit



H. J. ALLEN CONVERTIBLE POWER UNIT April 23, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28, 1954 s w l Harry J Allen INVENTOR. @waaflm 4 w April 23, 1957 H. J. ALLEN I CONVERTIBLE POWER UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 28, 1954 Harry J. Allen INVENTOR.

Ajax-I23, 1957 H. J. ALLEN CONVERTIBLE POWER UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Harry .1. Allen INVENTOR.

Filed July 28, 1954 CONVERTIBLE POWER UNIT Harry J. Allen, Burlington, Wis.

Application July 28, 1954, Serial No. 446,280

2 Claims. (Cl. 230-235) This invention relates generally to a portable power unit and has for its primary object the provision of a portable power mechanism which is rapidly convertible by replacing one of its component parts to adapt the assembly to one of a variety of uses.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved form of convertible power unit in which the main portion thereof is provided with quick detachable mounting means for rapidly converting the assembly for different usages.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved form of convertible power mechanism constructed to telescopically receive an extension unit for carrying auxiliary mechanism adapted to be connected to the main power-driven mechanism.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the 1 details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: t

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the supporting base assembly;

Figure 2 is a top plan view ofthe convertible power unit with an extension in place;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken substanwhich are fastened the wheel members 40 and 42.

tially along the plane of section line 44 of Figure2;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the extension platform;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the driven units mounting base;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view'of the basic unit showing an electric generator mounted thereon; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of mounting block.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral- 10 indicates the main mounting base assembly generally which comprises the elongated platform portion 12 provided at opposite sides with depending flange portions 14 and 16 terminating in spaced parallel relation to the platform 12 in the longitudinal lips 18 and29 defining track members. At the forward end of the assembly, and extending between the lips 18 and 20, is a cross brace member 22 which rigidly mounts 'a pair of forwardly projecting angle straps 24 which carry a pin member 26 therebetween which projects through the boss portion 28 of a handle assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 30, and by means of which the assembly may be pulled along from one location to another. The forward end of the assembly also mounts a pair of caster wheels 32 and 34, whereas the rearward end of the platform assembly is provided with a pair of depending bearing blocks 36 rigidly secured to the underside of the lips 18 and 20 and iournaling ice therebetween an axle member 38, to the opposite ends of Thus, the platform assembly is supported at all four corners with the forward end thereof being supported through the medium of the caster wheels 32 and 34. A shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3, an internal combustion engine, indicated generally by the reference character 44, is rigidly secured at the forward end of the platform and includes a crankshaft 46 having a drive pulley 48 secured thereto, the crankshaft extending trans versely of the frame assembly. Disposed substantially midway along the platform 12 and just rearwardly of the engine 44 are a pair of spaced mounting block members 50 and 52 and secured adjacent the rearward extremity, of the platform is a clamping bolt assembly indicated gen-' erally by the reference character 54. The mounting block and the clamping bolt are adapted to cooperate with a driven unit mounting platform, which is indicated gen erally by the reference character 56 and which is shown most clearly in Figure 7. This mounting platform consists of a main plate portion 58 having a plurality of aperture 69 therein for the reception of fasteners whereby various driven units may be attached thereto and the' extreme rearward end of the plate is notched, as at 62, whereas the forward end is provided with a transverse angle strip 64 to which a rod is secured such that its opposite ends 66 project laterally from the platform plate 58. Referring now more particularly to Figure 4, it will be seen that the mounting blocks 50 and 52 are provided with vertical notches 68 therein which receive the end portions 66 of the rod or pin carried by the angle member 64 and, as will be seen, L-shaped lock pins 70 project through apertures in the block in overlying relation to the rod portions 66 for maintaining them in place. 3

The previously mentioned clamping bolt assembly 54 consists of an internally threaded sleeve member 72 having an eye at one end which receives a pivot pin member 74 carried between upstanding brackets 76 secured to the" base 12 in the manner shown. A stud member 78 is secured within the sleeve '72 and a wing nut 80 is associated therewith to clampingly engage this unit within the notch 62 provided in the rearward end of the assembly 56. It will be manifest that this assembly will lend itself readily to rapid attachment and detachment of the auxiliary or driven units mounting assembly 56.

A compressor unit is indicated generally'by the reference character 82 which is secured to the platform 56 by means of suitable fasteners extending through the apertures 60 therein and this compressor includes a drive shaft 84 to which is keyed a pulley member 86. A flexible belt 7 88 is trained about the internal combustion engine pulley 48 and the compressor pulley 86 and it will be under stood that when the auxiliary platform 56 is securely mounted in position, the diameter of the pulleys-48 and 86, taken togetherwith the length of the belt 88, will be of such character as to effect a proper engagement be-f' tween these elements such as to effectively drive the com-' pressor. The details of the compressor form no part of this invention. is provided with a discharge outlet 9ft through which air under pressure is educted in the conventional manner. An extension platform, indicated generally by the reference character 92, as shownmost clearly'in 'Fi'gu're However it will be noted that the same 3 the mainsection 10, that is, the extension 92 is embraced by the flange and lip portions of the main assembly 10. The inner surfaces of the flanges l4 and 16 of the main portionare provided. with stop members. Hit which locate the. extension, assembly with respect. tothe. main frame assembly such that, apertures Hi2 and 164m these members, respectively, are aligned. so. as to receive suitable fastening elements. to prevent. longitudinal shifting. betweenthe units' The rearward end of the extension is provided with-a pair of cradle straps 6 and 1&3 to which is securely fastened, as by welding, thestorage tank 110.

The. storage tank is providedwith a centrally disposed vertical, standpipe member 112.. which. extends closely adjacent the bottom. ofthe tank and: which is provided Withan, outlet connection M4 to which a ilexible and quickly. detachable conduit 116 may be attached so as to lead, to the; outlet 90 of. the'compressor. At the lower side, of. oneend of the tank is provided an outlet and associated-valve mechanism 113 to which a suitable outlet, line 120- may be connected such that when the compressor delivers air under pressure into the tank through the. pipe 112, fluid, such as chemical spray or the like, Will be educted through the conduit 12%), which may have conveniently attached at its opposite ends any suitable spraymechanism, asdesired. lit will be appreciated that as; air enters the tank through the line 112, the air will bubble upwardly through the fluid therein so as to agitate the same and maintain it in mixed condition at all times.

The tank is provided with a gauge member 122 for obvious. purposes. Additionally, the tank is provided with. anair outlet which includes the line 124, the shutoff valve 126, the pressure-reducing valve 128, and the low pressure gauge 138. It is 'to be understood that when cleanair is desired to be pumped to a mechanism such as a. paint. sprayenor the like, the outlet coupling 132 of the air outlet line is connected to a flexible hose 134 which extends to the paint spraying unit or other mechanism requiring fresh compressed air. It will be readily appreciated-that'when such compressed air operations are desired, the tank may be filled partially with clear water suchv that. the air entering through the standpipe 112 will bubble up through this water and be cleansed'thereby.

Itisimportant to note, also, that when the compressor unit is being used to spray liquid such as insecticides or similar chemicals, no part of the chemicals come into contact with the compressor or any moving parts. This is particularly desirable inasmuch as such chemicals are frequentlycorrosive.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 8, the con.- struction therein shown employs the main principle as previously described inasmuch as the auxiliary mounting plate assembly 136 is lockingly engaged with the mounting blocks 50 and 52 and with the clamping bolt 54, it being understood that the generator assembly 138 mounted thereon is so associated therewith that the pulley 140 drivingthe generator and associated belt 142 are in proper alignment to effect a proper drive with thecrankshaft pulley 48 of the internal combustion engine 44. It

is to be understood that all auxiliary power-driven units.

are to be mounted on similar auxiliary mounting plate membersin such relation.

As seen most. clearly in Figure 9, a modified form. of mounting block 144 may be utilized in which an inclined slot 145; is provided for receiving the projecting portions oi the rod 66 mounting the plate assemblies 56, 136, and- 4 the like. the mounting block to receive a pin similar to that previously described and indicated by the reference character 70.

It is to be understood that other mechanisms may be mounted on the supporting base than that specifically shown and described herein, For example, a pump for displacing liquids may be mounted on the base so as to provide an sily, aqrt b en mn ng. u i

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily under-stood and further explanation is, believed to, be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art; it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the app nd d l m Whatisclaimed as newis; as follows:

1, A portable handmanipsulable carriage comprising a main mounting; base, including ground: wheels and a.

handle operably secured; adjacent one end of said base, adriving motor carriedtby said base, a driven unit, means mountingsaid; driven unit on said base and including. a-

pair of oppositely, disposed mounting block members in.

transverse alignment;- with an, upper surface of the main mounting base in inwardly disposed relationship to the endsofsaid base, saidrnountingnblock, members each including-- similar; pontions defining upwardly extending notches, a clampingv boltassernbly pivotally secured on a transverse-pivotal axison the upper surface of said base adjacent an end portionofisaid'base opposite to that which.

the handle-is secured; adriven vunit; mounting, plate having means; thereon for securing thedrivenunit thereto, a pair oftransversely extending rod portions adjacent one end of said mountiugzplate andyeach detachably securable in the; notches, of said mounting blockmembers, said driven unitmounting, plate including on, its other. end

portion a longitudinal notch engageable with said clampa.

ing: bolt, assembly,v a vehicular, extension platform, said main mounting base including longitudinally extending downwardly and inwardly directed flange portions defining longitudinal track members, removably and telescopically' receiving, one end portion of said vehicular extension platform, said, platform including a lower support: Wheel, and means; on. said upper. surface thereof for securingan auxiliary unit thereon.

2'- A portable hand manipulable carriage as set forth in claim 1 wherein a stop element is secured in each of the longitudinal; trackimembers of said mounting base engagcablewit-h, amend portion of said vehicular extension platform on said track members, and wherein said fastening; means between the main mounting base and said vehicular extensionplat-form comprises. removable fastening; elements transversely extending through the longitudinal track members and extension platform.

seie eaeeaditesl nlhe leor hi -p A vertical bore 148 is of course provided in 

